How
can we make sure people living in urban environments have a high quality of
life—good health, a safe environment, stable communities free of violence, and
opportunities to prosper. How can we ensure that our booming cities don’t
poison the planet with their waste? And how can we encourage the urban
sustainability, resilience, and innovation that are essential for addressing
global environmental issues such as climate change? The Baltimore School of
Urban Ecology lays out a new approach to understanding the ecology of cities.
The authors challenge the idea that cities are ecologically pathological.
Rather, they view cities as complex ecosystems that fully encompass human
social interactions in addition to trees, waterways, and green spaces.

Evening will include presentation, panel and Q&A. Key points are the importance of improving
our cities, the use of science, and social justice. UMBC has
been a key player in this effort through the Baltimore Ecosystem Study.

J.
Morgan Grove is Team Leader and Research Scientist at the Baltimore Field Station,
USDA Forest Service.